So I just added a TP-Link switch (TL-SG3428X) and access point (EAP670) to my network, using OPNSense for routing, and was previously using a TP-Link SX-3008F switch as an aggregate (which I no longer need). I’m still within the return window for the new switch and access point, and have to admit the sale prices were my main reason with going for these items.

I’ve heard the TP-Link Omada lineup being called a budget friendly Ubiquity alternative and a number of reviewers have said that while the Omada ecosystem is not as fully featured as the Ubiquity ecosystem it can hold it’s own.

I understand there have been recent articles mentioning TP-Link and security risks, so I’m thinking if I should consider returning these, and upping my budget to go for ubiquity?

From what I understand about TP-Link and security risks is that it mostly affected the consumer line rather than the Omada business lineup and had two main causes.

First is consumers just buying whatever is cheapest at the time, plugging it in, doing minimal configuration, not updating the firmware regularly and then connecting whatever random IOT crap they brought to it blowing holes in the firewall giving hackers ample opportunities to easily get in.

Second is TP-Link (along with a lot of other networking equipment Mfg) used to follow the “use a wizard to give the device a base config then let the customer configure the rest”, leaving a lot of things open or not configured as it was expected that the customer was knowledgeable enough to do it properly.

Now a days companies are much more security conscious and have designed the base setup to be locked down, requiring strong encryption, strong passwords even going towards automatically installing firmware updates.

Given that the Omada lineup is their business line they will generally be on top of any security concerns.

The AP would only be like $30 more for an equivalent, so that’s negligible, but a switch that meets my needs is about 1.6x more, however still only has 2 SFP+ ports, while I need 3 at absolute minimum.

Another one to look at would be the Mikrotik CRS328-24P-4S+RM, which seems to tick most of your boxes (24 Gig RJ45 ports with 4 10 Gig SPF+ ports).

It would have to be managed either through Winbox or through the web UI which may or may not be a downside.

I’m generally happy with the performance, however there is a really annoying bug where if I reboot a device, the switch drops down to 1G speed instead of 10G, and I have to tinker with the settings or reboot the switch to get 10G working again. This is true for the OPNSense uplink, my NAS and workstation. Same thing happened with the 3008F, and support threads on the forums have not been helpful.

I am guessing that this is an issue with the SFP+ ports using copper RJ45 transceivers?

Have you:

• Confirmed that the transceivers are properly compatible with TP-Link switches
• Fully updated the firmware on the switch, transceivers (if possible) and client network cards
• Tested new cables
• Checked the settings on the switch, transceivers and client network cards to see if there is a problem with link negotiation

In any case, any opinions of switching to ubiquity would be worth it?

From what I understand about Ubiquity is if you have plans to expand your network setup with cameras, doorbells, intercoms, etc in the future then it may be worth it but it’s going to hit you in the wallet.

But then again Ubiquity is pushing their SSO cloud account hard, so that may be a downside.

The hardware isn’t so much of a problem as there are companies who can make or source compatible tablets like the PineTab2 and the PineNote.

It’s making the software compatible with a lower power mobile device and learning what needs to fixed.

It would have been much easier to deal with getting a tablet up and running before dealing with getting a mobile device functional.

Making the small steps from laptop to tablet then to phone would have saved them a lot of grief and software mistakes.

They really shot themselves in the foot by going straight to phones.

The better way would have been to work on tablets first and working out all the bugs on larger devices with a limited feature set before moving into phones with the attendant issues of regional cell bands and restrictions.

Rather than play the “will this product work on Linux” game I bought an enclosure and made my own. I got an Orico enclosure and put a large HDD into it.

Most enclosures are OS agnostic (but check anyway) and you can put quite large drives in them.

I wouldn’t consider it a backup solution, I use Timeshift for that.

It’s more of a file syncing software like Syncthing.

I have it set up to one way sync certain folders on my computer to an external USB HDD that I can disconnect and take with me if I have to evacuate.

Have you had a look at “Lucky Backup”?

I use Timeshift to backup my SSD to a HDD then I use Lucky backup to (oneway) sync my main folders (doc, music, download, pic, videos, etc) to a USB HDD.

Still need to figure out how to do an encrypted backup to cloud storage (thanks to 90% of common cloud storage is based in the USA with very loose data protection laws).

Logitech does not support Linux.

Most of the current compatibility of Logitech devices comes from, Linux devs reverse engineering their software, USB standards or from default programing stored in the device.

Have you considered that they may have used a 32bit UEFI bios combined with 64bit processor?

Try a distro that supports 32bit UEFI.

About 25 years for me.

For most people it’s a better option to use a local print shop for the odd times that they need something printed.

More options for printing too.

You have a few choices:

• Minecraft launcher (official) - Allows you to play vanilla MC.

• Prisim launcher - allows you to download & play mod packs from several sources (newer FTB packs have to be loaded up in the FTB app first before being imported).

• FTB app - allows you to play basically any FTB modpack.

The first should show up in the software store and the second two have install instructions on their websites.

You have to load it up in the FTB app then import it into Prism.

Twitch already has a dark mode available in the settings.

I think that this would be a security nightmare and would require a massive redesign for session cookies.

If anything they should be trying to lock cookies and sites assorted data to the specific device used to log in.

At the moment it is very easy for a criminal (once they have gained access) to nab your browser’s entire profile and load it up on their computer giving them access to everything logged in on that profile.

What you are suggesting is something that would make the criminals jobs easier .

Wireless access points are really versatile and can be used is a number of ways.

I recently upgraded from an all in one WiFi router to a wired only router (I have fibre) which is then connected to my desktop using ethernet and I have a UFO style access point on the ceiling connected using ethernet and powered by POE.

If I need to upgrade the WiFi at a later date I don’t have to redo my entire network setup.

I know the issue has be fixed but this is something you (or others) might want to consider.

If you have a desktop computer you can get a “wireless access point” which you can connect to your desktop using an ethernet cable then connect the AP to your WiFi network.

This negates the need to find an adapter that supports Linux and having to install drivers to make an adapter work.

With an AP the computer only sees an ethernet connection and as the AP is separate to your computer you can position it where it gets the best reception (there are even access points from the likes of TP-Link and others that can use POE (power over ethernet) so you can run just one cable).

That’s why I stopped buying from the big brand manufacturers.

So many “system updates” that come out just before the new version is announced & suddenly your device is glitchy, slow and having constant problems.

I have been buying Nokia phones ever since. They aren’t the fastest, have huge storage, nor all the flashy bling of the “flagship” products but over the years I have found that I don’t need them.

Hell I even have a digital audio player so I can get better quality audio in a device smaller than most phones (plus I am not paying to rent music using streaming services).